The Amakan
Agency: Oxfam Pilipinas
In the town of Villaba, Leyte province local artists make furnitures out of various indigenous materials. One of those furnitures is the ‘amakan’ or woven split-bamboo mats that are commonly used as wall paneling for traditional houses in some parts of rural Philippines.
However, demand for amakan in their town is low. Therefore, the artists and their families remain among those considered the poorest of the poor.
To help local artisans, the Leyte district’s congressional office formed Uswag Leyte, a sustainable product design and entrepreneurship development program
Through Uswag Leyte, local artisans were exposed to new and modern styles of woven decor. The program also aims to market their products to inclusive businesses.
An inclusive business, unlike traditional businesses, aims to support the economic base — such as farmers, fisherfolk, low-income workers, and other marginalized communities — through employment or access to affordable products and services.
